A Haystacks circular from Buttermere village taking in the lakeside walk and Warnscale Bothy

10miles 2200ft

I parked just before sunrise above Buttermere village with a cloud inversion on the lake.... 

I could see the silhouette of my destination ie Haystacks

Setting off along the lakeside path....

....with some lovely views across the lake

The summit of High Crag was just visible above the cloud

It really was the perfect atmospheric morning for some photos

High Crag again...

....and my destination Haystacks on the horizon....

....and again after the cloud lifted

Now continuing into Warnscale Bottom as I headed for Warnscale Bothy.....

Looking back to Buttermere lake still in cloud

Arriving at Warnscale Bothy.... 

for my morning coffee..... 

  .....with a lovely view from the window 

Unless you're familiar with the bothy it's not easy to find as it blends in with its background!

It's then just a short climb to Haystack's summit 1959ft looking west here to High Crag

There are a number of tarns on the summit including this un-named one just below the summit....

...also Blackbeck tarn...

....and Innominate tarn, where Wainwright's ashes were scattered

The summit affords some great views including the Ennerdale valley and lake with the West Cumbria coast behind....

....Also Green Gable & Great Gable....

...and Fleetwith Pike....

....and High Crag again

After lunch on the summit I started the descent to Scarth Gap...

....with a view back to Haystacks....

....and down to a now cloudless Buttermere lake....

....with a lovely lakeside path....

....and again... 

....finishing at the parking area next to the church which has a memorial to Wainwright

This had been a fabulous return to the high fells. From the atmospheric start and the summit views to the final lakeside stroll back to the car. A perfect day in Lakeland!

At Last I'm back in action after hospitalisation with a nasty bout of Covid!

My gentle return to walking included Yew Tree Tarn, Tarn Hows, Coniston Water and a short visit to Grange-over-Sands 7miles 700ft

Parking in the layby next to Yew Tree Tarn on the road between Ambleside and Coniston, Holme fell was just appearing as the cloud lifted

The misty rain falling created some very atmospheric views

Yew Tree Tarn again.....

....and again

I started the climb to Tarn Hows from Glen Mary....

....and very soon started the the climb up Tom Gill following the waterfalls

The falls were at their best after all the heavy rain....

.....and again

....and again....

...until I emerged on the side of a misty Tarn Hows

I began a clockwise circuit enjoying the atmospheric misty morning and the lovely Autumn colours....

....and again....

....and again....

....and again

Reaching the eastern end of the tarn where many years ago we used to launch canoes whilst camping at High Arnside farm!

The Autumn colour was everywhere....

.....and again

....and again....

.....until I arrived back at the head of Tom Gill

I retrieved my car from Yew Tree Tarn and drove to Coniston village where the Steam Gondola was just arriving from a circuit of the lake....

....and again

After another short walk along the lakeside I drove down to the coast at....

Grange-over-Sands.....

....and had a walk and lunch along the promenade....

....Looking back to Grange centre....

....and finally passing the very nice Netherwood Hotel

It was certainly great to feel fit again to return to  walking in our lovely countryside.